repaired · 2018 Q4
Hood: latch
Risk. If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open…
2016 Hyundai Santa FE SportProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 73 owner complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, most often about the engine. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 17V-358 the manufacturer reports only 79% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport has problems
73 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
46Engine11 crash/fire/injury
7Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
4Fuel/propulsion system
4Air bags
3Service brakes
3Engine and engine cooling
3Power train
3Service brakes, hydraulic
2Suspension
109 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 46 | 11 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 2 |
| Air bags | 4 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 1 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 1 |
| 9 other systems | 10 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other Santa FE Sport year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Santa FE Sport median. How we score
'13'14'15'16'17'18
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport safety ratings
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (14.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
In owners' words
What Santa FE Sport owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
This occurred on Interstate 75 while driving in the third lane. The car engine completely died without warning. There was zero power when pressing the gas pedal, creating an immediate life-threatening collision hazard. There was no oil pressure or malfunction warning light prior to failure. The…
On XXXX, my 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD (VIN [XXX], ~89,151 miles) developed a flashing check-engine light while driving — an active misfire condition. An OBD-II scan pulled code P1326, Hyundai's knock-sensor detection code for connecting-rod bearing wear in the Theta II engine family, the same…
I was driving from Tampa to Wesley chapel Fl I was going about 70 and was pushing a bit then slowed down right away then I was speeding a little back up and my car was dropping to speed by itself I pulled over to the shoulder and it was leaking radiator fluid I was trying to crank it to see if I…
Own a 2016 Santa FE Sport?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.